The beauty of Capitalism

[wbrian63]

You can "ask" whatever you want for a product - price-wise.

Stumbled upon a clean-looking '92 600SEL. For those in Houston, it's on Murphy Road (FM 1092) in Stafford just north of the performing arts center (about 1 mile north of US 90 - Main Street). Place is called Freedom Auto Repair - they specialize in German makes.

Light blue (yuk) with navy interior. Most major options - curiously just the regular lumbar supports (no orthopedic). Interior looks near flawless. I think there are problems with the close-assist - the trunk was unlocked even with the doors locked. When I opened the trunk, the handle popped out, but when closed, the lid doesn't pull down tight. If the car is locked and the trunk unlocked (and so was the gas cap), then there's something wrong with the pneumatic pump system, too.

Russian site indicates that the car has a 300A alternator with extra battery???? There's no place on a v12 car for an extra battery except the trunk, and I didn't see anything like an extra battery there.

Car has 67,000 miles on it. CarFax returns clean report - lived most of its life in Kentucky, so no salted roads, I think.

Edmunds, etc show car to be worth max 10K in flawless condition. In this market of $3+/gallon for premium and 10/12mpg, the car isn't a hot ticket item, in my opinion.

Realistically, if the car hasn't had a new wiring harness and a new evaporator, then a DIY-guy like myself is looking at $1500 at some point in the future. Maybe the harness will be a while, I think the degradation is combination of age and heat, but maybe just age?

I'd classify the car as in "clean" but not "excellent" condition. Edmunds says 7500 for private party sale and $11k for dealer. Car was wholesaled at its last sales point, so likely the fellow selling it paid far, far less than that.

Called him up - asked about the car for sale "which one, he asks" (fairly clear indication that I'm dealing with a dealer, not an individual) - he says he wants "about 12" for the car.

Dream on, my friend, dream on. I'd be interested at 8, maybe even 9, but no way 12.

You can ask whatever you want - what you get is what the market is willing to pay.